ALBANY, N.Y. — June 22 — The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas, the National Marine Manufacturers Association, and the Coalition Opposed to Illegal Tampering have made immense progress in New York after meeting with Senator Breslin to inform him of the potential harms right to repair legislation could have on Marine and other off-road industries. Ultimately this outreach resulted in the New York State assembly passing an amended version the Digital Fair Repair Act (A.7006B and S.4104A) that would exclude the marine industry and the off-road sector at large from the law.
Introduced throughout the country, right to repair legislation will allow independent repair providers, including individuals or businesses, the same access to the firmware, source codes, and other proprietary information and tools needed for repair as authorized repair providers. While the MRAA and the Coalition Opposed to Illegal Tampering support repairs done by owners, we recognize the inherent safety and environmental implications making this information available to unauthorized or “independent” repair providers.
Unamended, the Digital Fair Repair Act (A.7006B &S.4104A) introduced by Representative Fahy and Senator Breslin respectively, would have allowed uncertificated technicians and users to access the source code of Marine engines, electronics, and additional products
like farm and forestry equipment. As originally written, this legislation was intended to provide users and owners of computers, cell phones and other consumer electronics the ability to make repairs without the need of authorized repair providers. However, due to the unspecified language of the bill, it would have expanded those allowances to marine technology, farm equipment, medical devices and more.
However, due to continued outreach with Senator Breslin, a last-minute amendment to the bill was made to exempt the marine industry and other off-road sectors. The MRAA, National Marine Manufacturers Association, and other industry partners appreciate Senator Breslin’s willingness to engage with the marine industry and off-road segment at large to not only hear our concerns, but amend the bill accordingly.
“On behalf of the recreational boating industry, thank you Senator Breslin for amending the Digital Fair Repair Act to exempt Marine products, and for looking out for the vitality of New York boating businesses,” said Chad Tokowicz, MRAA Government Relations Manager. “We hope that this legislation can serve as a template, and that other states follow the leadership of Sen. Breslin to also exempt the marine and off-road sectors.”
As Right to Repair legislation continues to surface throughout the country, the MRAA and the Coalition Opposed to Illegal Tampering continue to monitor these bills and educate key members of state legislatures on their environmental and safety implications for the marine and comparable industries. Changes to exempt the marine sector are also critical as Certified technicians, like those who receive training through the American Boating and Yacht Council, provide a high skilled labor force for our members and dealers to consistently deliver quality repairs and service.
About the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas
At the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas, we believe that for the marine industry to thrive, the retail organizations that interact with the boaters in their community must thrive. With that in mind, MRAA works to create a strong and healthy boating industry by uniting those retailers, providing them with opportunities for improvement and growth, and representing them with a powerful voice. For more information, visit MRAA.com or contact us at 763-315-8043.
